Systems and methods for inventorying un-provisioned systems in a software provisioning environment

ABSTRACT

A provisioning server can utilize an inventory tool on new target machines in order to collect specification data from the target machines, prior to provisioning software. The inventory tool can be configured to operate on the new target machines without software, such as an operating system, being installed on the new target machines. The inventory tool can be configured to communicate with the hardware of the new target machines and collect data representing the specifications of the new target machines. The inventory tool can be configured to operate and execute on any new target machine regardless of the type and configuration of the new target machine.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to software provisioning. In particular, the invention relates to systems and methods for inventorying systems in a software provisioning environment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Software provisioning is the process of selecting a target machine, such as a server, loading the appropriate software (operating system, device drivers, middleware, and applications), and customizing and configuring the system and the software to make it ready for operation. Software provisioning can entail a variety of tasks, such as creating or changing a boot image, specifying parameters, e.g. IP address, IP gateway, to find associated network and storage resources, and then starting the machine and its newly-loaded software. Typically, a system administrator will perform these tasks using various tools because of the complexity of these tasks. Unfortunately, there is a lack of provisioning control tools that can adequately integrate and automate these tasks.

When a new datacenter is created or new systems are added to an existing datacenter, the specifications of those systems (types of hardware, identification of the systems, and the like) must be determined in order to properly install software on the systems. Typically, the system administrator is required to physically visit each system in order to determine the specifications of new systems or the administrator must have prior knowledge of the systems' specifications. Often, in order to determine the specifications, some basic software must be installed on the systems (e.g. operating system) in order to determine the specifications of those systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments can be more fully appreciated, as the same become better understood with reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall provisioning environment in which various embodiments of the present teachings can be practiced;

FIG. 2 illustrates the overall provisioning environment in which a provisioning server can inventory new target machines prior to provisioning software, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration for a provisioning server, according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart for inventorying new target machines, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by referring mainly to exemplary embodiments thereof. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be implemented in, all types of information and systems, and that any such variations do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, in the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying figures, which illustrate specific embodiments. Electrical, mechanical, logical and structural changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Embodiments of the present teachings relate to systems and methods for inventorying new target machines in a software provisioning environment. More particularly, a provisioning server can utilize an inventory tool on new target machines in order to collect specification data from the target machines, prior to provisioning software.

According to embodiments, a provisioning server can be configured to provide and to interact with an inventory tool on new target machines. The inventory tool can be configured to operate on the new target machines without software, such as an operating system, being installed on the new target machines. The inventory tool can be configured to communicate with the hardware of the new target machines and collect data representing the specifications of the new target machines. For example, the inventory tool can collect data such as the network hardware identification of the new target machines and identification and configuration of hardware on the new target machines. The inventory tool can be configured to operate and execute on any new target machine regardless of the type and configuration of the new target machine.

According to embodiments, to provide the inventory tool, the provisioning server can be configured to instruct a network management server to provide a command to a helper client on the new target machines. The command can be configured to cause the helper client to retrieve the inventory tool from the provisioning server. Additionally, the provisioning server can be configured to instruct the helper client, directly. Likewise, the provisioning server can be configured to transmit the inventory tool to the new target machines and to instruct the new target machines to alter their power state (e.g. power cycle) to initiate the inventory tool.

According to embodiments, the provisioning server can be configured to interact with the inventory tool, directly, to instruct the inventory tool and to collect the data from the inventory tool. Likewise, the provisioning server can be configured to operate in conjunction with the network management server in order to instruct the inventory tool and to collect data from the inventory tool. Once data is collected, the provisioning server can be configured to store the collected data in an inventory record.

By providing an inventory tool from a provisioning server, the provisioning server can acquire the exact specifications of new target machines prior to provisioning software. As such, the provisioning server can tailor software provisioning for the particular specification of the new target machines, thereby avoiding errors and compatibility conflicts in the provisioned software.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall provisioning environment 100, in systems and methods for the execution, management, and monitoring of software provisioning, according to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in or supported by the exemplary environment illustrated in FIG. 1. The provisioning environment 100 provides a unified provisioning environment, which comprehensively manages the tasks related to software provisioning.

In particular, the provisioning environment 100 can manage software provisioning using a hierarchy of commands. In exemplary embodiments, the hierarchy can include at least four levels of commands. The lowest level in the hierarchy can comprise distribution commands, which primarily handle base operating system specific tasks of provisioning. The second level can comprise profile commands, which associate a configuration file, such as a kickstart file for Linux or other operating system, with a distribution and optionally allow for customization. The third level comprises system commands, which associate remote systems that are involved with the provisioning of the software. The fourth level comprises repository commands, which address configurations and tasks related to updating the software, remote installation procedures, and optionally customizing the software.

The provisioning environment 100 provides several capabilities and advantages over the known provisioning solutions. For example, the present invention is capable of handling a variety of forms of installations, such as preboot execution environment (“PXE”), virtualization, re-installations, and image installations.

In exemplary aspects, the provisioning environment 100 enables integrating virtualization into a PXE provisioning infrastructure and provides several options to reinstall running machines as well. The provisioning environment 100 can integrate mirroring of package repositories with the provisioning process, so that a provisioning server may serve as a central mirror point of contact for all of an organization's software needs. In aspects, a set of remote mirrored repositories can automatically be used by provisioned systems without additional setup.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects the provisioning environment 100. The provisioning environment 100 can be applied to provisioning any form of software, such as Windows systems, UNIX systems, and Linux systems. In the exemplary description that follows, FIG. 1 is presented to explain the provisioning environment 100 for provisioning software, such as Linux, and Linux based software, such as Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux by Red Hat, Inc.

In provisioning of software such as Linux, many system administrators use what is known as the “kickstart” installation method. Kickstart files are files that specify the intended configuration of the software being provisioned. Kickstart files can be kept on a server and can be read by individual computers during the installation. This installation method allows the use of a single or relatively few standard kickstart files to install Linux on multiple machines, making it ideal for network and system administrators.

The kickstart file can be a simple text file, containing a list of items, each identified by a keyword. In general, a kickstart file can be edited with any text editor or word processor that can save files as ASCII text. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be applied to non-kickstart files in software provisioning. For example, configuration files such as AutoYAST Answer files used in Novell SuSe Linux and Sun Solaris Jumpstart files may also be used by the provisioning environment 100.

Typically, a kickstart file can be copied to the boot disk, or made available on the network. The network-based approach is most commonly used, as most kickstart installations for software provisioning, such as Linux systems, tend to be performed via a network using NFS, FTP, or HTTP on networked computers. Administrators also find it desirable that kickstart installations can be performed using a local CD-ROM, or a local hard drive.

Using kickstart files, a system administrator can create a single file containing the parameters that are needed to complete a typical software installation. For example, kickstart files specify parameters related to: language selection; mouse configuration; keyboard selection; boot loader installation; disk partitioning; network configuration; NIS, LDAP, Kerberos, Hesiod, and Samba authentication; firewall configuration; and package selection.

According to exemplary aspects illustrated in FIG. 1, the provisioning environment 100 can include a provisioning server 102, a code repository 104 which provides access to distributions 106 and 108, a set of installation templates 110, a set of exception plugins 112, a helper client 114 running on target machines 116 in a network 115, a provisioning database 120 which comprises a distribution tree list 122 and template list 124. Each of these components will now be further described.

The provisioning server (from herein referred to as a “cobbler”) 102 is responsible for: serving as an extensible markup language remote procedure call (XMLRPC) handler; linking to or mirroring install distribution trees and a configuration database; hosting kickstart templates; hosting plugins; generating installation images, and the like. The cobbler server 102 can be implemented as software, such as Python code, installed on a boot server machine and provide a command line interface for configuration of the boot server. In addition, the cobbler server 102 can make itself available as a Python application programming interface (API) for use by higher level management software (not shown). The cobbler server 102 supports provisioning via PXE, image (ISO) installation, virtualization, re-provisioning. As will be described later, the last two modes are performed with the assistance of a helper client 114.

The code repository 104 is responsible for hosting distributions 106 and 108. The code repository 104 can be implemented using well known components of hardware and software. Additionally, the code repository 104 can include one or more repositories hosting distributions. The distributions 106 and 108 can include bundles of software that are already compiled and configured. The distributions 106 and 108 may be in the form of either rpm, deb, tgz, msi, exe formats, and the like. For example, as Linux distributions, the distributions 106 and 108 are bundles of software that comprise the Linux kernel, the non-kernel parts of the operating system, and assorted other software. The distributions 106 and 108 can take a variety of forms, from fully-featured desktop and server operating systems to minimal environments.

In exemplary aspects, the installation templates 110 are any data structure or processing element that can be combined with a set of installation configurations and processed to produce a resulting configuration file, such as a kickstart file.

In exemplary aspects, exception plugins 112 are software that interact with cobbler server 102 to customize the provisioning of software. In general, the exception plugins 112 are intended to address infrequent customization needs.

In exemplary aspects, the helper client (known as “koan”, which stands for “kickstart-over-a-network”) 114 can assist the cobbler server 102 during the provisioning processes. The koan 114 can allow for both network provisioning of new virtualized guests and destructive provisioning of any existing system. When invoked, the koan 114 can request profile information from a remote boot server that has been configured with the cobbler server 102. In some aspects, what the koan 114 does with the profile data depends on whether it was invoked with --virt or -replace-self.

In exemplary aspects, the koan 114 can enable replacing running systems as well as installing virtualized profiles. The koan 114 can also be pushed out to systems automatically from the boot server. In some aspects, the koan client 114 is also written in Python code to accommodate a variety of operating systems, machine architectures, etc.

In exemplary aspects, the network 115 can include a number of the target machines 116. The target machines 116 can represent the particular machines to which software provisioning is directed. The target machines 116 can represent a wide variety of computing devices, such as personal computers, servers, laptop computers, personal mobile devices, and the like. In some aspects, the target machines 116 can represent distributed computing environments such as cloud computing environments. Although FIG. 1 shows several of the target machines 116, the provisioning environment 100 can be capable of managing a wide range environments, such as datacenters with thousands of machines or server pools with just a few machines. Additionally, the cobbler server 102 can be connected to multiple networks 115.

In exemplary aspects, the provisioning database 120 can serve as a data storage location for holding data used by the cobbler server 102. For example, as shown, the provisioning database 120 can comprise the distribution tree list 122 and the template list 124. The distribution tree list 122 can provide an inventory of the distributions 106 and 108 that are hosted or mirrored by the cobbler server 102. The template list 124 can provide an inventory of the templates 110 that are hosted by the cobbler server 102.

As noted above, the cobbler server 102 can manage provisioning using a hierarchical concept of distribution commands, profile commands, system commands, and repository commands. This framework enables the cobbler server 102 to abstract the differences between multiple provisioning types (installation, reinstallation, and virtualization) and allows installation of all three from a common platform. This hierarchy of commands also permits the cobbler server 102 to integrate software repositories 126 with the provisioning process, thus allowing systems to be configured as a mirror for software updates and third party content as well as distribution content.

Distributions can contain information about base operating system tasks, such as what kernel and initial ramdisk (“initrd”) are used in the provisioning, along with other information, such as required kernel parameters. Profiles associate one of the distributions 106 and 108 with a kickstart file and optionally customize it further, for example, using plugins 112. System commands associate a hostname, IP, or (machine access control) MAC with a distribution and optionally customize the profile further. Repositories contain update information, such as yum mirror information that the cobbler server 102 uses to mirror repository 104. The cobbler server 102 can also manage (generate) dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) configuration files using the templates 110.

In exemplary aspects, the cobbler server 102 can use a provisioning environment that is fully templated, allowing for kickstarts and PXE files to be customized by the user. The cobbler server 102 uses the concept of “profiles” as an intermediate step between the operating system and the installed system. A profile is a description of what a system does rather than the software to be installed. For instance, a profile might describe a virtual web server with X amount of RAM, Y amounts of disk space, running a Linux distribution Z, and with an answer file W.

In exemplary aspects, the cobbler server 102 can provide a command line interface to configure a boot server in which it is installed. For example, the format of the cobbler server 102 commands can be generally in the format of: cobbler command [subcommand] [--arg1=] [--arg2=]. Thus, a user can specify various aspects of software provisioning via a single interface, such as a command line interface or other known interface. Examples of exemplary cobbler commands can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/763,315, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0288938 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/763,333, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0288939, all assigned to Red Hat Corporation, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by reference.

According to exemplary aspects, a user can use various commands of the provisioning environment 100 to specify distributions and install trees hosted by the code repository 104, such as a distribution from the distributions 106 or 108. A user can add or import a distribution or import it from installation media or an external network location.

According to exemplary aspects, in order to import a distribution, the cobbler server 102 can auto-add distributions and profiles from remote sources, whether this is an installation media (such as a DVD), an NFS path, or an rsync mirror. When importing an rsync mirror, the cobbler server 102 can try to detect the distribution type and automatically assign kickstarts. By default in some embodiments, the cobbler server can provision by erasing the hard drive, setting up eth0 for DHCP, and using a default password. If this is undesirable, an administrator may edit the kickstart files in /etc/cobbler to do something else or change the kickstart setting after the cobbler server 102 creates the profile.

According to exemplary aspects, a user may map profiles to the distributions and map systems to the profiles using profile commands and systems commands of the provisioning environment 100. A profile associates a distribution to additional specialized options, such as a kickstart automation file. In the cobbler server 102, profiles are the unit of provisioning and at least one profile exists for every distribution to be provisioned. A profile might represent, for instance, a web server or desktop configuration.

According to exemplary aspects, a user can map systems to profiles using system commands. System commands can assign a piece of hardware with cobbler server 102 to a profile. Systems can be defined by hostname, Internet Protocol (IP) address, or machine access control (MAC) address. When available, use of the MAC address to assign systems can be preferred.

According to exemplary aspects, the user can map repositories and profiles using repository commands. Repository commands can address configurations and tasks related to updating the software, remote installation procedures, and optionally customizing the software. These repository commands can also specify mirroring of the provisioned software to remote servers. Repository mirroring can allow the cobbler server 102 to mirror not only the trees 106 and 108, but also optional packages, third party content, and updates. Mirroring can be useful for faster, more up-to-date installations and faster updates, or providing software on restricted networks. The cobbler server 102 can also include other administrative features, such as allowing the user to view their provisioning configuration or information tracking the status of a requested software installation.

According to exemplary aspects, a user can utilize commands to create a provisioning infrastructure from a distribution mirror. Then a default PXE configuration is created, so that by default, systems will PXE boot into a fully automated install process for that distribution. The distribution mirror can be a network rsync mirror or a mounted DVD location.

According to exemplary aspects, the administrator uses a local kernel and initrd file (already downloaded), and shows how profiles would be created using two different kickstarts—one for a web server configuration and one for a database server. Then, a machine can be assigned to each profile.

According to exemplary aspects, a repo mirror can be set up for two repositories, and create a profile that will auto install those repository configurations on provisioned systems using that profile.

According to exemplary aspects, in addition to normal provisioning, the cobbler server 102 can support yet another option, called “enchant”. Enchant takes a configuration that has already been defined and applies it to a remote system that might not have the remote helper program installed. Users can use this command to replace a server that is being repurposed, or when no PXE environment can be created. Thus, the enchant option allows the remote the koan client 114 to be executed remotely from the cobbler server 102.

According to aspects, if the cobbler server 102 is configured to mirror certain repositories, the cobbler server 102 can then be used to associate profiles with those repositories. Systems installed under those profiles can be auto configured to use these repository mirrors in commands and, if supported, these repositories can be leveraged. This can be useful for a large install base, when fast installation and upgrades for systems are desired, or software not in a standard repository exists and provisioned systems desire to know about that repository.

According to exemplary aspects, the cobbler server 102 can also keep track of the status of kickstarting machines. For example, the “cobbler status” will show when the cobbler server 102 thinks a machine started kickstarting and when it last requested a file. This can be a desirable way to track machines that may have gone inactive during kickstarts. The cobbler server 102 can also make a special request in the post section of the kickstart to signal when a machine is finished kickstarting.

According to exemplary aspects, for certain commands, the cobbler server 102 will create new virtualized guests on a machine in accordance with orders from the cobbler server 102. Once finished, an administrator can use additional commands on the guest or other operations. The cobbler server 102 can automatically name domains based on their MAC addresses. For re-kickstarting, the cobbler server 102 can reprovision the system, deleting any current data and replacing it with the results of a network install.

According to exemplary aspects, the cobbler server 102 can configure boot methods for the provisioning requested by the user. For example, the cobbler server 102 can configure a PXE environment, such as a network card BIOS. Alternatively, the cobbler server 102 can compile and configure information for koan client 104. The cobbler server 102 can also optionally configure DHCP and DNS configuration information.

According to exemplary aspects, the cobbler server 102 can serve the request of the koan client 114. The koan client 114 can acknowledge the service of information of the cobbler server 102 and can then initiate installation of the software being provisioned. Additionally, the koan client 114 can either install the requested software, e.g., replace the existing operating system, or install a virtual machine.

FIG. 2 illustrates aspects of the provisioning environment 200 that allows inventorying of target machines remotely. In embodiments as shown, the cobbler server 102 can be coupled to a network 115 and a network management server 215 to provide provisioning processes and other actions related to provisioning for the network 115. While FIG. 2 illustrates one network 115 with exemplary components, one skilled in the art will realize that the cobbler server 102 can be coupled to multiple networks to provide provisioning processes and other actions related to provisioning.

As shown in FIG. 2, the network 115 can include a number of target machines 205. For example, the target machines 205 can include a group of server computers, such as blade servers. The target machines 205 can include computing systems such as servers, personal computers, laptop computers, etc. The target machines 205 can be connected to power management systems 210 to control the power supplied to the target machines 205 and to alter the power state of one or more of the target machines 205 (e.g. power cycle). The power management systems 210 can be any type of system to manage the power of the target machines, for example, Integrated Lights Out (ILO) by Hewlett Packard™ Corporation, Dell™ Remote Access Control (DRAC) by Dell Corporation, WTI powerbar by Western Telematics, Inc, and other power system supporting network communications. Additionally, each of the target machines 205 can be configured to include a koan client 114.

In embodiments, one or more of the target machines 205 can be newly added to the network 115. As such, the new target machines 205 can be bare computing systems without software, such as an OS or other programs, installed on the new target machines 205. The cobbler server 102 can be configured to communicate with the new target machines 205 in order to identify the specifications of the target machines prior to performing software provisioning processes. For example, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to communicate with the new target machines 205 to collect data such as the network hardware identification (e.g. MAC address) of the new target machines 205 and data such as the identification of the types and configurations of hardware on the new target machines 205 (types and configuration of processors, memory, network interface cards, video cards, storage devices, etc.).

In embodiments, to achieve this, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to provide an inventory tool 212 to one or more of the new target machines 205 and to interact with the inventory tool 212 in order to collect data representing the specifications of the new target machines 205. The inventory tool 212 can be configured to operate on the new target machines 205 prior to software being installed on the new target machines 205 and independent of the particular type and configuration of the new target machines 205. The inventory tool 212 can be configured to include the necessary logic, routines, instruction, and commands to boot the new target machines 205 and interrogate the hardware of the new target machines 205 to determine the specifications of the new target machines 205. The inventory tool 212 can be, for example, a disk image, an ISO image, a software appliance (e.g. portions of an OS and applications), or any other type of tailored software application capable of executing on the new target machines 205 prior to the installation of software.

In embodiments, the inventory tool 212 can be configured to interrogate hardware of the new target machines 205 and collect data 214 from the hardware of the new target machines 205. For example, the inventory tool 212 can communicate with the hardware of the new target machines 205 and collect data 214 representing the specifications of the hardware, such as type and configuration of the hardware (types and configuration of processors, memory, network interface cards, video cards, storage devices, etc.). Additionally, the inventory tool 212 can be configured to communicate with the hardware to determine data that uniquely identifies the new target machines 205 in the network 115 such as Media Access Control (“MAC”) address, Ethernet Hardware Address (“EHA”), and the like.

In embodiments, additionally, the inventory tool 212 can be configured to determine the identification of the power management system 210, type of power management systems 210, communication protocol or tools utilized by the power management systems 210 (Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), Cluster Manager (CMAN), and the like), access information (login and password) for the power management system 210, and the like.

In embodiments, the cobbler server 102 can initiate providing the inventory tool 212 upon the occurrence of any number of events. For example, the cobbler server 102 can provide the inventory tool 212 when a new target machine 205 is added to the network 115 or new hardware is added to a target machine 205. Likewise, the cobbler server 102 can provide the inventory tool 212 to all target machines 205 at the time of creation of the network 115.

In embodiments, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to maintain the inventory tool 212 for access and utilization in inventorying the new target machines 205. For example, the cobbler server 102 can be configured maintain the inventory tool 212 in a storage device or system (CD, DVD, hard drive, portable storage memory, database etc.) whether local to the cobbler server 102 or remotely located. For example, the cobbler server 102 can maintain the inventory tool 212 or information specifying the location of the inventory tool 212 in the provisioning database 120.

In embodiments, to provide the inventory tool 212, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to provide the inventory tool 212 utilizing the network management server 215. The cobbler server 102 can be configured to instruct the network management server 215 to provide a command to the koan client 114 on the new target machines 205. The command can be configured to cause the koan client 114 to retrieve the inventory tool 212 from the cobbler server 102 and initiate the inventory tool 212 on the new target machines 205. Likewise, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to directly instruct the koan client 114 to retrieve the inventory tool 212.

In embodiments, the network management server 215 can be any type of network management application or tool to securely communicate with the target machines 205, to monitor the state of the target machines 205, to retrieve and request data from the target machines 205, and to manage and direct the target machines 205. For example, the network management server 215 can be a “FUNC” server as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/130,424, filed May 30, 2008, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF NETWORKED SYSTEMS USING SECURE MODULAR PLATFORM” (U.S. patent application Publication No. ______) assigned to Red Hat Corporation, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.

In embodiments, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to provide the inventory tool 212 to the new target machines 205, directly. To achieve this, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to transmit the inventory tool 212 to the new target machines 205.

In embodiments, once the inventory tool 212 is transmitted, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to instruct the new target machines 205 to alter their power state (e.g. power cycle) to initiate the inventory tool 212. For example, the cobbler server 102 can power cycle (power down/power up) the new target machines 205 in order to initiate the inventory tool 212 or restart the new target machines 205 after the inventory tool 212 has completing testing. The cobbler server 102 can be configured to communicate with the power management system 210 of the new target machines 205 to alter the power state of the new target machines 205. To achieve this, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to include a power management module 230.

In embodiments, the power management module 230 can be configured to communicate with the power management systems 210 of the new target machines 205. The power management module 230 can be configured to instruct the power management systems 210 to alter the power state of the new target machines 205. The power management module 230 can be configured to generate a command or instruction. The instruction can include access information for the power management systems 210 and the power state alteration to be performed.

In embodiments, the power management module 230 can be configured to form the instruction in a protocol utilized by the particular power management systems 210. For example, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to utilize conventional or proprietary protocols or tools such as IPMI, DRAC, ILO, fence agents and the like. The power management module 230 can be configured to utilize a pre-determined protocol or utilize several protocols in order to determine the appropriate protocol. Once generated, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to transmit the instruction to the determined power management systems 210.

In embodiments, the power management module 230 can be implemented as a portion of the code for the cobbler server 102. Likewise, the power management module 230 can be implemented as a separate software tool accessible by the cobbler server 102. Additionally, the power management module 230 can be implemented as a portion of the code for the network management server 215. The power management module 230 can be written in a variety of programming languages, such as JAVA, C++, Python code, and the like to accommodate a variety of operating systems, machine architectures, etc. Additionally, the power management module 230 can be configured to include the appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with and cooperate with other components of the cobbler server 102.

In embodiments, once the inventory tool 212 has been initiated, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to interact with the inventory tool 212, directly to instruct the inventory tool 212 and to collect the data 214 from the inventory tool 212. Likewise, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to operate in conjunction with the network management server 215 in order to instruct the inventory tool 212 and to collect data 214 from the inventory tool 212. The cobbler server 102 can be configured to instruct the network management server 215 to interact with the inventory tool 212 and to collect the data 214. Once collected, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to receive the data 214 from the network management server 215.

In embodiments, once data is collected, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to store the data 214 in an inventory record 235. The inventory record 235 can be configured to categorize the data 214 according to the data that uniquely identifies the target machines 205 in the network 115 such as Media Access Control (“MAC”) address, Ethernet Hardware Address (“EHA”), and the like. The inventory record 235 can be configured to associate the specifications of the new target machines 205 with the data that uniquely identifies the new target machines 205. The cobbler server 102 can also be configured to include, in the inventory 235, information about the power management systems 210 for the target machines 205. The information can include identification of the power management system 210, type of power management systems 210, communication protocol or tools utilized by the power management systems 210 (Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), Cluster Manager (CMAN), and the like), access information (login and password) for the power management system 210, and the like. The cobbler server 102 can be configured to maintain the inventory record 235 in the provisioning database 120, or any other local or remote storage system.

In embodiments, once the cobbler server 102 has received the data 214 and stored the data 214 in the inventory record 235, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to perform software provisioning process on the new target machines 205. The cobbler server 102 can be configured to custom tailor the provisioning processes utilizing the data 214 stored in the inventory record 235. For example, the cobbler server 102 can examine the inventory record 235 for the particular specifications (type and configuration of hardware) of a new target machine 205 and can select and configure the appropriate software (operating system, programs, applications, etc.) that are compatible with the specifications of the new target machines 205. Likewise, the cobbler server 102 can be configured to utilize the data 214 stored in the inventory record 235 in order to configure the new target machines 205.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary diagram of hardware and other resources that can be incorporated in a computing system 300 configured to communicate with the network 115, and execute the cobbler server 102 and the network management server 215 according to embodiments. In embodiments as shown, the computing system 300 can comprise a processor 302 communicating with memory 304, such as electronic random access memory, operating under control of or in conjunction with operating system 308. Operating system 308 can be, for example, a distribution of the Linux™ operating system, the Unix™ operating system, or other open-source or proprietary operating system or platform. Processor 302 also communicates with the provisioning database 120, such as a database stored on a local hard drive. While illustrated as a local database in computing system 300, the provisioning database 120 can be separate from the computing system 300 and the cobbler server 102 can be configured to communicate with the remote provisioning database 120.

Processor 302 further communicates with network interface 306, such as an Ethernet or wireless data connection, which in turn communicates with one or more networks 115, such as the Internet or other public or private networks. Processor 302 also communicates with the provisioning database 120, the cobbler server 102, and the network management server 215, to execute control logic and perform the inventory processes described above and below.

As illustrated, the cobbler server 102 can be implemented as a software application or program capable of being executed by a conventional computer platform. Likewise, the cobbler server 102 can also be implemented as a software module or program module capable of being incorporated in other software applications and programs. In either case, the cobbler server 102 can be implemented in any type of conventional proprietary or open-source computer language.

As illustrated, the network management server 215 can be executed in the computing system 300. Likewise, the network management server 215 can be executed in a separate computing system including components similar to computing system 300. Accordingly, the computing system 300 can communicate with the network management server 215 via the network interface 304.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram for providing a rescue environment in the provisioning environment 200, according to embodiments of the present teachings. In 402, the process can begin. In 404, the cobbler server 102 can initiate inventorying new target machines 205. For example, the cobbler server 102 can provide the inventory tool 212 when a new target machine 205 is added to the network 115 or new hardware is added to a target machine 205. Likewise, the cobbler server 102 can provide the inventory tool 212 to all target machines 205 at the time of creation of the network 115.

In 406, the cobbler server 102 can provide the inventory tool 212 to the new target machines 205. For example, the cobbler server 102 can provide the inventory tool 212 utilizing the network management server 215. The cobbler server 102 can instruct the network management server 215 to provide a command to the koan client 114 on the new target machines 205. The command can be configured to cause the koan client 114 to retrieve the inventory tool 212 from the cobbler server 102 and initiate the inventory tool 212 on the new target machines 205. Likewise, the cobbler server 102 can directly instruct the koan client 114 to retrieve the inventory tool 212. Additionally, the cobbler server 102 can provide the inventory tool 212 to the new target machines 205, directly. To achieve this, the cobbler server 102 can transmit the inventory tool 212 to the new target machines 205.

In 408, the cobbler server 102 can direct the inventory tool 212 and collect data 214 from the inventory tool 212. For example, the cobbler server 102 can interact with the inventory tool 212, directly, to instruct the inventory tool 212 and collect the data 214 from the inventory tool 212. Likewise, the cobbler server 102 can operate in conjunction with the network management server 215 in order to instruct the inventory tool 212 and collect data 214 from the inventory tool 212. The cobbler server 102 can instruct the network management server 215 to interact with the inventory tool 212 and collect the data 214. Once collected, the cobbler server 102 can receive the data 214 from the network management server 215.

In 410, the cobbler server 102 can store the collected data 214 in the inventory record 235. For example, the inventory record 235 can be configured to categorize the data 214 according to the data that uniquely identifies the target machines 205 in the network 115 such as Media Access Control (“MAC”) address, Ethernet Hardware Address (“EHA”), and the like. The inventory record 235 can be configured to associate the specifications of the new target machines 205 with the data that uniquely identifies the new target machines 205. The cobbler server 102 can include, in the inventory 235, information about the power management systems 210 for the target machines 205. The information can include identification of the power management system 210, type of power management systems 210, communication protocol or tools utilized by the power management systems 210 (IPMI, CMAN, etc.), access information (login and password) for the power management system 210, and the like.

In 412, the cobbler server 102 can perform provisioning processes utilizing the collected data 214 in the inventory record 235. For example, the cobbler server 102 can custom tailor the provisioning process utilizing the data 214 stored in the inventory record 235. The cobbler server 102 can examine the inventory record 235 for the particular specifications (type and configuration of hardware) of a new target machine 205 and can select and configure the appropriate software (operating system, programs, applications, etc.) that are compatible with the specifications of the new target machines 205. Likewise, the cobbler server 102 can utilize the data 214 stored in the inventory record 235 in order to configure the new target machines 205.

In 414, the process can end, but the process can return to any point and repeat.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments without departing from the true spirit and scope. The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. In particular, although the method has been described by examples, the steps of the method may be performed in a different order than illustrated or simultaneously. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these and other variations are possible within the spirit and scope as defined in the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method of inventorying systems in a software provisioning environment, comprising: providing, from a provisioning server, an inventory tool to at least one target machine in a network of target machines, wherein the inventory tool is configured to collect data representing specifications of the at least one target machine, absent software installed on the at least one target machine; and receiving the data at the provisioning server.
 2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising: storing the received data in an inventory record.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises at least one of a network hardware identification of the at least one target machine and identification of hardware contained in the at least one target machine.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the data comprises: instructing a network management server to collect the data from the inventory tool; and receiving the data from the network management server.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inventory tool is a disk image containing the inventory tool.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the inventory tool comprises: instructing a helper client on the at least one target machine to retrieve the inventory tool.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the inventory tool comprises: transmitting the inventory tool to the at least one target machine over the network; and sending instructions to alter a power state of the at least one target machine after transmitting the inventory tool.
 8. A system for inventorying systems in a software provisioning environment, comprising: a network interface to a network of target machines; and a provisioning server, communicating with the network interface and a network management server, the provisioning server being configured to— provide an inventory tool to at least one target machine in the network of target machines, wherein the inventory tool is configured to collect data representing specifications of the at least one target machine, absent software installed on the at least one target machine; and receive the data at the provisioning server.
 9. The system of claim 8, the provisioning server being further configured to-store the received data in an inventory record.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the data comprises at least one of a network hardware identification of the at least one target machine and identification of hardware contained in the at least one target machine.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein receiving the data comprises: instructing the network management server to collect the data from the inventory tool; and receiving the data from the network management server.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the inventory tool is a disk image containing the inventory tool.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein providing the inventory tool comprises: instructing a helper client on the at least one target machine to retrieve the inventory tool.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein providing the inventory tool comprises: transmitting the inventory tool to the at least one target machine over the network; and sending instructions to alter a power state of the at least one target machine after transmitting the inventory tool.
 15. A provisioning application, the provisioning application being embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprising instructions for causing a processor to perform a method comprising: providing, from a provisioning server, an inventory tool to at least one target machine in a network of target machines, wherein the inventory tool is configured to collect data representing specifications of the at least one target machine, absent software installed on the at least one target machine; and receiving the data at the provisioning server.
 16. The provisioning application of claim 15, the method further comprising: storing the received data in an inventory record.
 17. The provisioning application of claim 15, wherein the data comprises at least one of a network hardware identification of the at least one target machine and identification of hardware contained in the at least one target machine.
 18. The provisioning application of claim 15, wherein receiving the data comprises: instructing a network management server to collect the data from the inventory tool; and receiving the data from the network management server.
 19. The provisioning application of claim 15, wherein the inventory tool is a disk image containing the inventory tool.
 20. The provisioning application of claim 15, wherein providing the inventory tool comprises: instructing a helper client on the at least one target machine to retrieve the inventory tool.
 21. The provisioning application of claim 15, wherein providing the inventory tool comprises: transmitting the inventory tool to the at least one target machine over the network; and sending instructions to alter a power state of the at least one target machine after transmitting the inventory tool. 